The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

The next morning, Eilika carefully removed the small bandage from her skin. She applied a thin layer of the herbal ointment provided by the palace physician, ensuring the faint, remaining scar would completely vanish within a matter of days.

”Your Grace, how was the short trip for you?” Joanna inquired as she tidied the vanity. ”I noticed the Duke trying rather hard to catch your attention this morning. Are you deliberately keeping him at bay?”

”Joanna, did you not advise me yourself to make the Duke crave my attention? I am merely following your counsel,” Eilika stated with a knowing smile. She set the small porcelain jar of cream down onto the dressing table and turned around.

”You have executed the plan beautifully,” Joanna replied, a supportive smile lighting up her face. ”By the way, word has reached the servants’ quarters that the maid formerly in the late Duchess’s service desired your demise. Did you perhaps think to see her?”

”I had fully intended to confront her, but Damian insists I remain entirely detached from the matter. He wishes to handle the interrogation himself,” Eilika explained, rising to her feet. ”Though I intend to speak with him later to see if he might allow me to visit her just once.”

With that, Eilika turned and walked out of the bedchamber.

As they made their way downstairs, the distant sound of voices echoed through the grand stairwell. The head of the renovation workers was concluding a report to Georgia, informing her that the restoration work within the main estate was almost complete.

As Eilika and Joanna approached the Dowager Duchess, the supervisor offered a respectful bow and departed, leaving Georgia to turn to her daughter-in-law with a satisfied smile.

”Tomorrow, we shall return to our main estate,” Georgia informed her. ”Thankfully, the craftsmen have finished their duties ahead of schedule.”

”Yes, Mother. It is wonderful news,” Eilika answered.

”Take a seat, my dear,” Georgia said, gesturing to the upholstered sofa chair directly across from her.

Eilika lowered herself onto the seat, already anticipating the direction her mother-in-law’s inquiries might take.

”Is Damian treating you with the care you deserve now? Better than before?” Georgia asked, her eyes searching Eilika’s face with genuine maternal concern.

”Yes, Mother. A lot has changed between us,” Eilika replied, a soft smile gracing her lips. ”He no longer hesitates to show his affection for me.”

”That brings immense relief to my heart,” Georgia said, letting out a soft sigh. ”But I know you have put an extraordinary amount of effort into this marriage. Without your patience, none of this would have been possible, dear. My son had completely closed himself off from the world, focusing on nothing but his duties. You had to endure a great deal of loneliness in the beginning because of my stubborn wishes.”

”Mother, please do not speak such words,” Eilika countered gently, reaching out to offer a reassuring look. ”You have been nothing but exceptionally kind to me since the day I arrived. Not once have you ever made me feel the harshness of a traditional mother-in-law. In truth, you have granted me the unconditional love of a true mother, and perhaps even more.”

Georgia smiled warmly at her words, a look of profound appearing over her face. ”That is very sweet of you to say, my dear. And Roman is thriving so much more now under your care. What I worry about most these days is you. Is Damian truly performing his duties as a husband toward you?”

”Yes, Mother,” Eilika replied softly. ”He has been incredibly attentive for a long time now, even when I have never asked it of him.”

”I meant on the bed, Eilika,” Georgia clarified gently.

”Ah... that...” Eilika’s voice trailed off hastily as a sudden warmth rushed to her cheeks, leaving her feeling thoroughly flustered. ”Yes. Damian does.”

Georgia smiled understandingly. ”Speaking with Damian about such matters always puts me at a distinct disadvantage. He either grows terribly defensive, or, as you well know, incredibly frustrated.”

”I understand your feelings completely as a mother,” Eilika said softly, offering a comforting look. ”I know your deepest wish is for me to carry his child soon. But Damian still harbors his own fears from the past. He is trying his best to overcome them, Mother, and you understand that better than anyone else.”

”Yes, I am well aware,” Georgia replied with a quiet, reflective sigh. ”However, speaking with you always brings peace to my mind. Now that the two of you have managed to come this far together, I am certain that even better things are on the horizon for our family.”

Eilika nodded, a comfortable silence settling between them for a brief moment until August suddenly stepped into the hall. He offered a polite greeting to both ladies before his gaze fixed upon Eilika.

”Might we speak in private, Duchess? I have a matter of some importance to share with you,” August said.

Eilika glanced at Georgia, who offered a small nod of reassurance, before taking her leave. August led her out toward the palace gardens, weaving through the manicured hedges until they reached a secluded path completely isolated from prying ears.

”I fully expected you to be occupied at the administration center today, Your Highness,” Eilika began, turning to face him.

”I worked quite late into the night, so I granted myself the luxury of avoiding the ministry office today,” August replied, a faint smirk playing on his lips. ”Instead, I spent the morning looking further into that recent fire incident. Can you guess what I managed to uncover?”

Eilika’s brow arched subtly at his tone. ”How could I possibly know unless Your Highness chooses to enlighten me?”

”Still, I insist the Duchess make a guess,” August countered, his smirk widening slightly.

”I cannot,” Eilika replied, refusing to play along with his game.

August’s expression turned sharper, the amusement in his eyes replaced by a cold satisfaction. ”The Queen’s own brother is involved in it,” he answered.